Funded by mining magnate, J. Ambrose O’Brien’s deep pockets, the Renfrew Creamery Kings, founding members of the National Hockey Association in 1909, could afford the best players available, leading the team to be popularly known as the Millionaires.

Despite the presence of future Hall of Famers as Newsy Lalonde, Lester Patrick, Didier Pitre and Cyclone Taylor on their roster, Renfrew never qualified to challenge for hockey’s top honor. The Creamery Kings finished in third place two years running and folded after the 1910-11 season.

The Renfrew Creamery Kings met the Montreal Canadiens for the first time on January 19, 1910 and came away from the initial encounter with a 9-4 victory.